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The biological activity of essential oils and their major components is well documented. Essential oils such as oregano and cinnamon are known for their effect against bacteria, fungi, and even viruses. The mechanism of action is proposed... more
The biological activity of essential oils and their major components is well documented. Essential oils such as oregano and cinnamon are known for their effect against bacteria, fungi, and even viruses. The mechanism of action is proposed to be related to membrane and external cell structures, including cell walls. This study aimed to evaluate the biological activity of seven essential oils and eight of their major components against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, filamentous fungi, and protozoans. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by determination of the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration for Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, Shigella sonnei, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus ochraceus, Alternaria alternata, and Fusarium oxysporium, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania mexicana, and the median lethal dose (LD50) for Giardia lamblia. Results showed that oregano essential oil showed the best antibacterial activity (66-100 µg/mL), while cinnamon essential oil had the best fungicidal activity (66-116 µg/mL), and both showed excellent antiprotozoal activity (22-108 µg/mL). Regarding the major components, thymol and carvacrol were also good antimicrobials (23-200 µg/mL), and cinnamaldehyde was an antifungal compound (41-75 µg/mL). The major components were grouped according to their chemical structure as phenylpropanoids, terpenoids, and terpinenes. The statistical analysis of the grouped data demonstrated that protozoans were more susceptible to the essential oils, followed by fungi, Grampositive bacteria, and Gram-negative bacteria. The analysis for the major components showed that the most resistant microbial group was fungi, which was followed by bacteria, and protozoans were also more susceptible. Principal Component Analysis for the essential oils demonstrated the relationship between the biological activity and the microbial group tested, with the first three components explaining 94.3% of the data variability. The chemical structure of the major components was also related to the biological activity presented against the microbial groups tested, where the three first principal components accounted for 91.9% of the variability. The external structures and the characteristics of the cell membranes in the different microbial groups are determinant for their susceptibility to essential oils and their major components.
Resumen Se reconoce actualmente que la contaminación del aire relacionada con el tráfico (TRAP, por sus siglas en inglés), es un factor de riesgo para el desarrollo de diversos padecimientos como las enfermedades isquémicas del corazón... more
Resumen Se reconoce actualmente que la contaminación del aire relacionada con el tráfico (TRAP, por sus siglas en inglés), es un factor de riesgo para el desarrollo de diversos padecimientos como las enfermedades isquémicas del corazón (EIC), la enfermedad pulmonar oclusiva crónica (EPOC), el paro cardíaco, las infecciones respiratorias bajas y el cáncer de pulmón. Estos efectos adversos repercuten en los sistemas de salud pública y tienen efectos irreparables en el tejido social. Por todo lo anterior, el objetivo de la presente revisión bibliográfica es el de aglomerar la evidencia científica que relaciona la polución del aire con efectos adversos en la salud pública, sus mecanismos, los agentes causales y sus efectos monetarios sobre la población mexicana.
Resumen: La construcción de vías rápidas como solución de las externali-dades negativas del tráfico vehicular ha generado ciudades segregadas y ha au-mentado el número de accidentes, los cuales son considerados en la actuali-dad como una... more
Resumen: La construcción de vías rápidas como solución de las externali-dades negativas del tráfico vehicular ha generado ciudades segregadas y ha au-mentado el número de accidentes, los cuales son considerados en la actuali-dad como una pandemia desatendida. La solución para facilitar la movilidad y proteger a los transeúntes ha sido la construcción de puentes peatonales, que generalmente son estructuras ele-vadas sobre las vías de tránsito vehicular. En la actualidad existe evidencia de que el objetivo de la construcción de dicha infraestructura obedece más al propósito de permitir el libre y continuo tránsito de automóviles que a prevenir atropellamientos y lesiones a los pea-tones. Aquí se pretende documentar evidencias sobre el uso y desuso de los puentes peatonales, las implicaciones en temas de seguridad vial y el compor-tamiento de los transeúntes. Palabras clave: seguridad vial, peato-nes, puentes peatonales, movilidad. Abstract: Construction of major thoroughfares as a solution to the negative externalities of vehicular traffic has prompted segregated cities and a rise in accidents, which are now considered a neglected pandemic. The solution to facilitate mobility and protect to the pedestrians has been the construction of pedestrian bridges, which are generally elevated structures over wide thoroughfares. Today evidence suggests that the aim of the construction of these bridges is more to allow the continuous movement of cars than to prevent pedestrian injury. This article attempts to document evidence on the use and obsolescence of pedestrian bridges, the implications in terms of road safety, and the behavior of pedestrians.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity and antibiofilm properties of copper sulfate (Cu2SO4) in association with terpenes against L. acidophilus and S. mutans strains. First, the minimum inhibitory concentration... more
The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity and antibiofilm properties of copper sulfate (Cu2SO4) in association
with terpenes against L. acidophilus and S. mutans strains. First, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined
using resazurin as indicator of cellular metabolism. Synergic or antagonic effects were determined by the checkerboard method,
and the inhibition of biofilm formation was determined by reduction on bacterial count. Results demonstrated that Cu2SO4 had a
better antimicrobial activity than the terpenes studied, with MIC of 50 μg/mL and 100 μg/mL against L. acidophilus and S. mutans,
respectively. Regardless of this antimicrobial activity, Cu2SO4 alone lacks good inhibition properties in biofilm formation. A
synergistic effect was observed with geraniol for both reduction in biofilm formation and antimicrobial activity. The present study
highlights the antimicrobial activity of Cu2SO4 against microorganisms related to caries development, and that its combination
with terpene compounds can be an effective alternative for the control of these etiological agents.
Background: In order to develop new larvicidal agents derived from phytochemicals, the larvicidal activity of fifty molecules that are constituent of essential oils was evaluated against Culex quinquefasciatus Say. Terpenes, terpenoids... more
Background: In order to develop new larvicidal agents derived from phytochemicals, the larvicidal activity of fifty molecules that are constituent of essential oils was evaluated against Culex quinquefasciatus Say. Terpenes, terpenoids and phenylpropanoids molecules were included in the in vitro evaluation, and QSAR models using genetic algorithms were built to identify molecular and structural properties of biological interest. Further, to obtain structural details on the possible mechanism of action, selected compounds were submitted to docking studies on sterol carrier protein‑2 (SCP‑2) as possible target. Results: Results showed high larvicidal activity of carvacrol and thymol on the third and fourth larval stage with a median lethal concentration (LC 50) of 5.5 and 11.1 µg/mL respectively. Myrcene and carvacrol were highly toxic for pupae, with LC 50 values of 31.8 and 53.2 µg/mL. Structure–activity models showed that the structural property π‑bonds is the largest contributor of larvicidal activity while ketone groups should be avoided. Similarly, property– activity models attributed to the molecular descriptor LogP the most contribution to larvicidal activity, followed by the absolute total charge (Qtot) and molar refractivity (AMR). The models were statistically significant; thus the infor‑ mation contributes to the design of new larvicidal agents. Docking studies show that all molecules tested have the ability to interact with the SCP‑2 protein, wherein α‑humulene and β‑caryophyllene were the compounds with higher binding energy. Conclusions: The description of the molecular properties and the structural characteristics responsible for larvicidal activity of the tested compounds were used for the development of mathematical models of structure–activity relationship. The identification of molecular and structural descriptors, as well as studies of molecular docking on the SCP‑2 protein, provide insight on the mechanism of action of the active molecules, and the information can be used for the design of new structures for synthesis as potential new larvicidal agents.
Research Interests:
Más de la mitad de la población humana está expuesta a contraer infecciones transmitidas por mosquitos. El cambio climático y la aparición de cepas resistentes a los insecticidas tradicionalmente utilizados han motivado la búsqueda de... more
Más de la mitad de la población humana está expuesta a contraer infecciones transmitidas por mosquitos. El cambio climático y la aparición de cepas resistentes a los insecticidas tradicionalmente utilizados han motivado la búsqueda de nuevos agentes capaces de controlar las poblaciones de mosquitos. Los aceites esenciales han resultado ser eficaces agentes repelentes y larvicidas.
El objetivo de este trabajo fue revisar las investigaciones llevadas a cabo en los últimos años sobre la actividad larvicida de los aceites esenciales y sus componentes contra mosquitos de los géneros Aedes, Anopheles y Culex, así como los últimos reportes sobre su posible mecanismo de acción.
Research Interests:
Los cambios socioeconómicos y las intervenciones sanitarias han mejorado la salud de la población mundial en las últimas décadas. Sin embargo, han empezado a presentarse modificaciones en la distribución de ciertas enfermedades debidas,... more
Los cambios socioeconómicos y las intervenciones
sanitarias han mejorado la salud de la población
mundial en las últimas décadas. Sin embargo,
han empezado a presentarse modificaciones en
la distribución de ciertas enfermedades debidas,
principalmente, a lo que se conoce como cambio
climático y que es una consecuencia más del
deterioro del medio ambiente.
Una de las preocupaciones derivadas de lo
anterior es la redistribución o nueva geolocalización
de las enfermedades transmitidas por vectores
(ETV), ya que los vectores que las transmiten están
encontrando nuevos nichos ecológicos en los cuales
establecerse y multiplicarse. El objetivo de la presente
revisión fue conjuntar la evidencia científica en torno
al cambio climático y sus efectos en las ETV.
Research Interests:
The larvicidal activity of essential oils cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum J. Presl), Mexican lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle) cumin (Cuminum cyminum Linnaeus), clove (Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M.Perry), laurel (Laurus nobilis... more
The larvicidal activity of essential oils cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum J. Presl), Mexican lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle) cumin (Cuminum cyminum Linnaeus), clove (Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M.Perry), laurel (Laurus nobilis Linnaeus), Mexican oregano (Lippia berlandieri Schauer) and anise (Pimpinella anisum Linnaeus)) and their major components are tested against larvae and pupae of Culex quinquefasciatus Say. Third instar larvae and pupae are used for determination of lethality and mortality. Essential oils with more than 90% mortality after a 30-min treatment are evaluated at different time intervals. Of the essential oils tested, anise and Mexican oregano are effective against larvae, with a median lethal concentration (LC50) of 4.7 and 6.5 µg/mL, respectively. Anise essential oil and t-anethole are effective against pupae, with LC50 values of 102 and 48.7 µg/mL, respectively. Oregano essential oil and carvacrol also have relevant activities. A kinetic analysis of the larvicidal activity, the oviposition deterrent effect and assays of the effects of the binary mixtures of chemical components are undertaken. Results show that anethole has synergistic effects with other constituents. This same effect is observed for carvacrol and thymol. Limonene shows antagonistic effect with β-pinene. The high larvicidal and pupaecidal activities of essential oils and its components demonstrate that they can be potential substitutes for chemical compounds used in mosquitoes control programs.
Research Interests:
Leishmaniasis is a public health problem caused by protozoan of the genus Leishmania. This parasitic vector-borne disease, presents different clinical manifestations including cutaneous, mucocutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis. The lack... more
Leishmaniasis is a public health problem caused by protozoan of the genus Leishmania. This parasitic vector-borne disease, presents different clinical manifestations including cutaneous, mucocutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis. The lack of an effective and nontoxic antiparasitic treatment highlights the need to develop new leishmanicidal agents. To address
this challenge, the use of bioinformatics and molecular modelling will help on the identification of specific biological targets and to determine the structural and molecular properties that confer biological activity to specific compounds. On the other hand, biological evaluation is a critical aspect in the discovery of new chemical structures with chemotherapeutic properties, and flow cytometry has emerged as a potent tool for the realization of biological assays. The conjunction of in silico and in vitro studies provide valuable information to direct the selection of molecules for in vivo experiments, reducing costs, time and the excessive use of experimental animals. This chapter aims to discuss theoretical techniques and in vitro evaluation tools available for a rational design of new, effective and low cost leishmanicidal agents.
Research Interests:
Background Essential oils and their constituents are commonly known for their antibacterial, antifungal and antiparasitic activity, and there are also reports on the antimycobacterial properties, but more experimental data are needed for... more
Background
Essential oils and their constituents are commonly known for their antibacterial, antifungal and antiparasitic activity, and there are also reports on the antimycobacterial properties, but more experimental data are needed for the description of the mechanism of action or structural (and molecular) properties related to the antimicrobial activity.

Methods
Twenty-five constituents of essential oils were evaluated against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv and Mycobacterium bovis AN5 by the Alamar Blue technique. Twenty compounds were modeled using in silico techniques descriptor generation and subsequent QSAR model building using genetic algorithms. The p-cymene, menthol, carvacrol and thymol were studied at the quantum mechanical level through the mapping of HOMO and LUMO orbitals. The cytotoxic activity against macrophages (J774A) was also evaluated for these four compounds using the Alamar Blue technique.

Results
All compounds tested showed to be active antimicrobials against M. tuberculosis. Carvacrol and thymol were the most active terpenes, with MIC values of 2.02 and 0.78 μg/mL respectively. Cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic acid were the most active phenylpropanes with MIC values of 3.12 and 8.16 μg/mL respectively. The QSAR models included the octanol-water partition (LogP) ratio as the molecular property that contributes the most to the antimycobacterial activity and the phenolic group (nArOH) as the major structural element.

Conclusions
The description of the molecular properties and the structural characteristics responsible for antimycobacterial activity of the compounds tested, were used for the development of mathematical models that describe structure-activity relationship. The identification of molecular and structural descriptors provide insight into the mechanisms of action of the active molecules, and all this information can be used for the design of new structures that could be synthetized as potential new antimycobacterial agents.
Research Interests:
La nitrificación, la oxidación microbiana de amoníaco a nitrato, juega un papel crítico en el ciclo global del nitrógeno. Se ha considerado a dos grupos distintos de bacterias capaces de oxidar el amoníaco (AOB) como las responsables de... more
La nitrificación, la oxidación microbiana de amoníaco a nitrato, juega un papel crítico en el ciclo global del nitrógeno. Se ha considerado a dos grupos distintos de bacterias capaces de oxidar el amoníaco (AOB) como las responsables de llevar a cabo el primer paso de la nitrificación; en esos dos grupos se encuentran las Beta-proteobacterias, que incluyen a los géneros Nitrosomonas y Nitrosospira, y las Gamma-proteobacterias, que engloban al género Nitrosococcus. Sin embargo, se ha demostrado la existencia de arqueas oxidantes de amoníaco (AOA) y su contribución al ciclo del nitrógeno, siendo Nitrosopumilus maritimus la más estudiada en este proceso. La dinámica entre estos dos sistemas de oxidantes de amoníaco es compleja y los estudios se han enfocado a distintos hábitats, se ha propuesto que las contribuciones relativas de las comunidades AOA y AOB dependen de propiedades fisicoquímicas del ambiente, que afectan su abundancia y diversidad; esto dificulta establecer con exactitud el nicho ecológico en el que se desempeña cada comunidad. El objetivo de esta revisión es discutir la evidencia científica que facilite el entendimiento del papel que desempeñan los microorganismos oxidantes del amoníaco.
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Edible films have been used as carriers of foods additives such as antioxidant or antimicrobial agents. Lime essential oil has demonstrated to act as an antimicrobial agent on food systems which can be incorporated into a film matrix. In... more
Edible films have been used as carriers of foods additives such as antioxidant or antimicrobial agents. Lime essential oil has demonstrated to act as an antimicrobial agent on food systems which can be incorporated into a film matrix. In this research edible films were prepared with two different raw matters, lime bagasse pectic extract and lime pomace pectic extract at 0.70, 0.85 and 1.00% pectin equivalents. Mexican lime essential oil was incorporated to a film-forming solution at 0, 500 and 1000 mg L−1 and 0.70% glycerol was added as plasticizer. Edible films antibacterial activity against food-borne pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes) was investigated by the disc diffusion method, with zones of inhibition measured after 24 h of incubation. The higher inhibition zone was against E. coli (20.6 ± 1.17 mm). Edible films prepared with pectic extracts (Mexican Lime bagasse and pomace) presented higher inhibition against Gram negative bacteria, but those prepared with bagasse pectic extract were more effective against all five bacteria studied. Pectic extracts edible films incorporated with Mexican lime essential oil inhibited the growth of foodborne pathogenic bacteria and can be useful in the preservation of food to increase shelf life.
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¿Nuestras ciudades son realmente espacios incluyentes para todas las personas? ¿Podemos considerar que nuestras ciudades son seguras para la infancia? ¿Los espacios públicos están a escala de todos sus habitantes o solo responden a las... more
¿Nuestras ciudades son realmente espacios incluyentes para todas las personas? ¿Podemos considerar que nuestras ciudades son seguras para la infancia? ¿Los espacios públicos están a escala de todos sus habitantes o solo responden a las necesidades espaciales del adulto promedio? 1, 2, 3 por la niñez es un manual es una contribución para la búsqueda de traslados seguros donde la seguridad de las y los infantes se priorice, porque estamos convencidos de que México, Latinoamérica y todo el mundo puede y debe tener ciudades y vehículos seguros para las niñas y los niños. Detrás de este manual se encuentran las experiencias de decenas de niñas y niños que hacen traslados diarios a sus escuelas, así como vivencias y conocimiento de las organizaciones civiles que trabajan por ciudades más justas y accesibles, la participación de grupos vecinales que buscan entornos más seguros y el impulso de la iniciativa privada para concretar proyectos en beneficio de todas las personas.
En temas de gestión, educación, legislación, infraestructura y protección, los peatones y las personas con discapacidad son, en México, los actores más vulnerados. Su derecho a la movilidad, la accesibilidad y al disfrute de... more
En  temas  de  gestión,  educación,  legislación,  infraestructura  y protección, los peatones y las personas con discapacidad son, en México, los actores más vulnerados. Su derecho a la movilidad, la  accesibilidad  y  al  disfrute  de  la  ciudad  se  encuentran  en  un panorama  adverso  y  en  condiciones  precarias.  La  circulación libre  de  los  peatones  y  la  accesibilidad  universal  en  México  se antepone ante un panorama antidemocrático, violento y caótico que prioriza el tránsito libre de vehículos particulares.

Citar como:

Olguin-Corres, D., & Andrade-Ochoa S. (2017) Caminabilidad y accesibilidad restringida en México. In N. Pinto-Alvaro, E. Puga-Cevallos & G. Endara (Eds), Más Allá de los límites: Apuntes para una movilidad inclusiva, (109-120). Quito, Ecuador: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES-ILDIS).